The Southwest Stakeholders Security Group (SSSG) on Saturday applauded the scheduled take-off of the joint security outfit, ‘Amotekun’, across the zone next Thursday.
The SSSG, comprising Oodua Peoples Congress, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Southwest Hunters Association, Southwest Agbekoya Group, Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) and Community Security Awareness Initiative Corps of Nigeria, made the commendation in a statement after its meeting in Lagos.
Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti had in his New Year message said the joint security outfit, initiated by the six governors in the southwest zone, would commence work on Jan. 9 to complement the efforts of the regular security agencies.
The group gave its nod to the new initiative, saying it is ready to complement the efforts of the southwest governors and the Inspector General of Police in their plan to make the southwest safe for the people.
SSSG, however, said that the group was yet to be contacted by the governors on the modus operandi, especially on recruitment of members of the outfit with just five days to the commencement of the initiative.
According to the group, it is necessary that members of the outfit are people who are known and whose integrity can be vouched for to ensure the success of the initiative.
Convener of the group and Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland land, Iba Gani Adams, said efforts to curb security challenges in the region was beginning to yield positive results, pointing out that the group had made significant efforts on security in the southwest since inception in July 2019.
Adams reiterated the need to create a workable synergy between the security outfits and the leaders at the grassroots.
“All over the world, security of lives and property remains the top priority of every government.
“It is when the country is safe and secure that we can think of other necessities.
“That is why as a group, we have made concerted effort to form this alliance in order to make the region safe for us,” Adam said.
He expressed the readiness of the group to take the issue seriously without giving any room for failure.
“We need to match our words with actions. But now that they have involved us, by name but not by contact as they have not contacted all the leaders.
“However, we must appreciate them because we are ready to provide a lasting solution to the menace in the region. We will do our very best to secure the region
‘’We are alerting the world that the issue of security should not be taken lightly or politicized because if this new initiative fails or boomerangs, we are not to be blamed,” he said.
Adams said there was need for the governors to engage people with strength of character and integrity, especially, adding that the group established a liaison committee with states in the region to advise them on security matters.
